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Thursday, 17 April 2014

Pause for a cause – SPANA

SPANA (the Society for the Protection of Animals Abroad) is the charity for the working animals of the world, which strives to improve the lives of working animals through free veterinary care, education & training, and emergency response, particularly in the developing world.

SPANA was founded in 1923 by Kate Hosali and her daughter, Nina, after they witnessed the suffering of animals on their travels through north Africa. They planned to set up a service that offered practical help, and acknowledged the extreme poverty of animal owners, and their lack of medicines and education. Kate returned to Africa to treat as many animals as she could, while Nina set up SPANA in London.

Demand for SPANA’s free veterinary care grew rapidly and centres were established across north and west Africa. Kate devoted 21 years of her life to saving animals, before she passed away in 1944, aged 67.Nina took on the task of rebuilding SPANA’s services after the Second World War, and extended the humane education side of SPANA’s work. She believed that, by ensuring school children understood basic principles of animal welfare, they would be less likely to treat their animals badly in the future.Like her mother, Nina dedicated the rest of her life to SPANA. After 42 years of selfless devotion she passed away in 1987, aged 89. This dedication led to Nina being awarded an OBE in 1976.

Kate and Nina’s amazing compassion remains at the heart of SPANA's work to this day.Across Africa and the Middle East, SPANA clinics treat hundreds of thousands of donkeys, horses, mules, camels and livestock every year.

Its education programme teaches children and owners respect and compassion for animals, andduring conflict, drought and natural disaster, its emergency programme gets help to animals and the communities who depend on them, whenever and wherever needed. At present, SPANA has permanent clinics in Ethiopia, Jordan, Mali, Mauritania, Morocco, Tunisia and Zimbabwe, as well as outreach and emergency programmes across the world, giving support and ultimately saving the lives of not just working animals, but the communities that rely on them.

In recognition of its 90th year helping animals abroad, SPANA has lauched it's Big Knit campaign, where you can get sponsored while you stitch! Download SPANA's free patterns for Duncan the donkey, Hattie the horse and Clarence the camel to raise money and help hardworking animals in need.

To get involved, or for more information, click here to visit the SPANA website!